What is the story about stereo amps being in the engine compartment? I heard that it is not coast guard approved to have amps in the engine compartment of a boat.
Any truth in this?

When I purchased my used Fountain, it had amps in the engine bay, I moved them to under the seat. It is my opinion that anything electric in the engine bay must be CG approved, just for my piece of mind. I would not mount anything there electrical that is not CG approved.

I wouldn't put an amp in an engine compartment regardless of CG regs.

I would put the amps in the cabin and run heavy power cables to them.